Kuzmenko Has Harsh Words When Describing His Game Last Season

Andrei Kuzmenko might have a little trouble with the language barrier, but when speaking with the media on Friday, he didn’t mince words about how he felt last season went for him on a personal production level.

He said, “Now, my focus is this team. I want to play better. I want to help my team. I understand my mistake in the last season. Last season I don’t like. I hate last season. I need to help this team.” He added, “And about my future… I work. We’ll see.”

Kuzmenko is pending UFA at the end of the year and there is already talk this the 2024-25 campaign will be an important one for him. If he struggles to play a sound two-way game like he did with the Vancouver Canucks, he could be traded or go unsigned by the Flames this summer. If he finds a way to do more than be just a streaky goal-scorer who is great on the power play, he could earn himself a new contract.

Kuzmenko wound up in the doghouse with Rock Tocchet in Vancouver. The winger was often a healthy scratch before he was finally moved as part of the deal that sent Elias Lindholm to the Canucks. The trade turned out to be a good one for Calgary, as Kuzmenko came in a scored 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games.

That said, he knows he needs to do more if he’s going to get in the good graces of coach Ryan Huska, or any NHL coach, for that matter. Kuzmenko needs to earn his opportunities, even if the Flames are more apt to let him excel at what he’s good at, without being too demanding.

Will Kuzmenko Be Trade Bait This Season?

Even if Kuzmenko plays well, there’s no guarantee he stays. He could be the type of player the Flames shop at the NHL Trade Deadline and if he’s playing well, could fetch Calgary a hefty return. As a rental, if the Flames chose to retain salary to get a better pick or prospect, a contender might like the idea of a 40-goal guy coming in for the playoffs at under $3 million.

But, the Flames may want to keep Kuzmenko too. It all depends on how his season goes, and how he fits with the team and embraces the idea of a rebuild.